Deutsch
EnglishDriving tips -> Trailer hitch for your Subaru Forester 2019-2024
Trailer hitch (dealer option) 411
The total weight on the roof rails –
including the roof crossbars, roof tent,
and all occupants and contents in the roof
tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s
roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg) (for
Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) (for Subaru
Forester Wilderness)), evenly distributed,
or the load limit of the roof crossbars,
whichever is lower.
! When the vehicle is parked on level
8-12. Trailer hitch (dealer op-
tion)
ground
WARNING
.
Never exceed the maximum
weight specified for the trailer
hitch. Exceeding the maximum
weight could cause an accident
resulting in serious personal in-
juries. Permissible trailer weight
changes depending on the situa-
tion. For possible recommenda-
tions and limitations, refer to
“Trailer towing” �P414.
Load limit of the roof rail (A).
Forester: B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg)
Subaru Forester Wilderness: B + C + D
< 800 lbs (360 kg)
Exceeding this load limit could cause
damage to the vehicle or racking system.
The vehicle must never be driven with
occupants in the roof tent. Before the
vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo
must be removed from the roof tent and
the roof rail load must be restored to within
the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg).
Refer to the user manual that accompa-
nied the roof tent for important safety
information and instructions on the proper
installation and use of the tent.
.
Trailer brakes are required when
the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs
(453 kg). Be sure your trailer has
safety chains and that each chain
will hold the trailer’s maximum
gross weight. Towing trailers
without safety chains could cre-
ate a traffic safety hazard if the
trailer separates from the hitch
due to coupling damage or hitch
ball damage.
.
Be sure to check the hitch pin and
safety pin for positive locking
placement before towing a trailer.
If the ball mount comes off the
hitch receiver, the trailer could
A: Roof rails
B: Roof crossbars
C: Roof tent
D: Occupants in the roof tent
– CONTINUED –
Trailer hitch (dealer option)
412
When towing a trailer without brakes
Maximum gross trai- Maximum gross ton-
get loose and create a traffic
safety hazard.
trailer hitch. Consult a SUBARU
dealer for purchase of a standard
bumper beam if you do not have
the original.
ler weight
gue weight
.
Although towing regulations for
trailer or caravan vehicles vary
by state/region, all regulations
agree that specifications such
as the maximum gross trailer
weight must not exceed the les-
ser of the following:
150 lbs (68 kg)
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
.
.
Safety performance is decreased
and there is increased risk of
injury to passengers in the case
of an accident if the trailer hitch
or a standard bumper beam is not
installed. One of them must al-
ways be installed on the vehicle.
When towing a trailer, refer to “Trailer
towing” �P414.
–
–
Maximum gross trailer weight
Maximum gross tongue
weight
If a trailer hitch is installed, it is
not possible to install the rear
towing hook.
–
–
GVWR
GAWR
The maximum gross trailer weight and
maximum gross tongue weight are indi-
cated in the following table.
.
.
.
Failure to comply with the proce-
dures set forth will not only
compromise your safety, but will
also negate your insurance cov-
erage and/or may violate the state
road and traffic acts and regula-
tions.
When towing a trailer with brakes
Maximum
gross trailer
weight
Maximum
gross tongue
weight
Use only the recommended
SUBARU ball mount that has
been designed to work with this
trailer hitch. Use the hitch only as
a weight carrying hitch. Do not
use with any type of weight dis-
tributing hitch.
Except for
Subaru
1,500 lbs
(680 kg)
150 lbs
(68 kg)
Forester
Wilderness
For Subaru
Forester
Wilderness
300 lbs
(136 kg)
3,000 lbs
(1,360 kg)
The standard bumper beam must
be installed after you remove the
Trailer hitch (dealer option) 413
1. Insert the ball mount into the hitch
receiver tube.
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole located
on the hitch receiver tube so that the
pin passes through the ball mount.
3. Insert the safety pin through the pro-
vided hole on the hitch pin securely.
4. Check the ball mount assembly by
pulling on it to make sure it does not
come off the hitch receiver.
safety chains that will hold the trailer’s
maximum gross weight. The chains
should cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping onto
the ground in case it should disconnect
from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient
slack in the chains taking tight turn
situations into account; however, be
careful not to let them drag on the
ground.
& Connecting a trailer
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to any
part of the vehicle other than the
safety chain hooks.
1
2
Hitch ball installation point
Hooks for safety chains
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate
for the ball mount and your trailer. The
hitch ball must be securely installed on
the ball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with
1
2
3
A
Ball mount
Hitch pin
Safety pin
Hitch receiver tube
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch electrical wire har-
ness’s black four-pin electrical wire
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
414
connector to the towing trailer’s wire
harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
electrical wire harness by individually
and combination activating the brake,
stop and turn signal lights on the trailer.
errors or omissions in the instructions
accompanying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
Regularly check that the hitch mounting
bolts and nuts are tightened securely.
8-13. Trailer towing
CAUTION
Turn off the Auto Start Stop system
when you are towing the vehicle
(except for Subaru Forester
Wilderness).
& Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to tow
a trailer, more frequent maintenance will
be required due to the additional load.
(Refer to “Maintenance schedule under
severe driving conditions” in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer be
towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new powertrain component (engine,
transmission, differential, wheel bearings,
etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer electrical
wire harness before launching or re-
trieving a watercraft.
Your vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety
and satisfaction depend upon proper use
of correct equipment and cautious opera-
tion of your vehicle.
Seek the advice of your SUBARU dealer to
assist you in purchasing a hitch and other
necessary towing equipment appropriate
for your vehicle. Do not use towing equip-
ment other than genuine SUBARU towing
equipment. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions for proper installation and
use provided by the trailer or caravan’s
manufacturer.
& If not towing a trailer
.
Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube.
Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch electrical wire
harness to protect against possible
damage.
Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal
grease.
.
.
& Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following.
Exceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any
